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Criteria

Exemplary (90-100%)

Proficient (80-89%)

Developing (70-79%)

Needs Improvement (<70%)

Weight (Points)

Structure and Formatting

Adheres fully to APA formatting guidelines, including title page, headings, margins, font, spacing, and page numbers. Word count is within range (5000-8000 words).

Minor APA formatting errors. Word count is slightly above or below the range.

Several APA formatting errors; inconsistencies in title page, headings, margins, or spacing.

Significant APA formatting issues; word count is well outside the required range.

20

Introduction and Literature Review

Comprehensive introduction with clear problem statement and relevance to the field. Literature review is thorough and integrates relevant sources.

Introduction and literature review are clear but lack depth or comprehensive integration of sources.

Introduction or literature review is incomplete or lacks a clear problem statement or connection.

Missing or poorly developed introduction and literature review.

30

Methodology

Clear, detailed, and appropriate description of methodology (quantitative, qualitative, or mixed methods) tailored to the study's intent.

Methodology is described adequately but lacks detail in some areas (e.g., data collection protocols).

Methodology is unclear or lacks critical elements; minimal discussion of protocols or intent.

Methodology is vague, missing, or inappropriate for the research type.

40

Results and Analysis

Results are presented effectively with appropriate use of quantitative (e.g., statistics, graphics) and/or qualitative (e.g., coding, themes) methods. Includes reliability, validity, and tests of significance where applicable.

Results and analysis are clear but lack depth or omit some critical components (e.g., validity checks).

Results and analysis are minimally developed, with gaps in data presentation or significance tests.

Results and analysis are incomplete or missing key elements; data presentation is unclear.

50

Discussion and Conclusion

Insightful discussion of findings, linking results to literature review and broader implications for the field. Clear and concise conclusion.

Discussion addresses findings but lacks full integration with the literature review or broader implications.

Discussion is basic, with minimal linkage to literature or implications; conclusion is weak.

Discussion and conclusion are superficial or missing.

30

Writing Quality

Exceptional writing quality: clear, concise, organized, and free of grammatical or typographical errors.

Writing is clear but includes minor grammatical or typographical errors.

Writing quality is inconsistent; contains several grammatical or typographical errors.

Writing is unclear, disorganized, or contains numerous grammatical or typographical errors.

20

Citations and References

Accurate use of in-text citations and reference list formatted in APA style; sources are relevant and sufficient.

Minor errors in citations or reference formatting; sources are adequate but not exhaustive.

Several errors in citations or references; sources are insufficient or not clearly relevant.

Inaccurate or missing citations; sources are inadequate or inappropriate.

10